Timeline Of Thunderstorms Expected In NJ

More thunderstorms are expected to make a mess of things in New Jersey on Wednesday and Thursday. Newark Liberty International Airport is already reporting 2-hour delays because of the weather.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook throughout most of the state, saying showers and thunderstorms will bring locally heavy rainfall to New Jersey beginning on Wednesday afternoon and lasting into the evening.

The storms are expected to hit between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 3 a.m. on Thursday, with rain expected to continue into the later morning hours. More storms could also arrive after 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Most of the rough weather is expected to hit Central and South Jersey, while North Jersey could be largely spared, according to the NWS.

There may be some flooding of roadways and areas of poor drainage, along with minor flooding on some small streams and creeks, according to the NWS.

The main threats from Wednesday's storms would be damaging wind gusts, flooding downpours and large hail, according to AccuWeather. But much of that could happen south of New Jersey.

Motorists should be ready to slow down on stretches of highways as the downpours reduce visibility, heighten the risk of hydroplaning and cause delays, according to AccuWeather.

The storms come a week after the National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado damaged a high school in New Jersey.

It took less than an hour for the severe thunderstorm and tornado to rip through the northern part of New Jersey on May 28, damaging Lenape Valley High School, sending trees onto cars, and leaving thousands without power the next morning. Read more: Tornado Hit North Jersey, NWS Confirms

Here is what is expected now:

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday afternoon: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 11pm. Low around 67. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.